More Thanksgiving......

Another week of God's grace and goodness.
     A week of watching Him work in ways that stop me in my tracks.
         A week of gratefulness for His work in me over time to teach me that He has a perfect plan for my life;
      —To make me aware of the weaknesses in me so I can see His strength at work;
      —To put within me a desire to be aware of His presence daily, hourly, and minute by minute;
      —To bring books, sermons, retreats, friend's comments and lives that speak to my heart                    
—His wisdom, truth, and grace—helping me know for a fact that He is working,
     that He is answering prayer,
          that He is here—right now—working his perfect plan for His glory.

This week as I, along with all of His children, once again remember God's love for me—God's ultimate sacrifice for sinners—remembered vividly during this "passion week."

The scripture that pulls me back is Ephesians 1:3-14 that we memorized over a year ago.  What a great promise, hope, truth we have in these verses about what Christ's death on the cross means for us. 

Lord, may I always treasure these words in my heart.  May I always say them slowly, so that they sink in.  May I always thank you for what you have done. AMEN

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 

In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The preposition "in" also jumps out at me in these verses because the "in's" always connect us to HIM as they show us our relationship to HIM.  We are IN HIM.  He does all of what we need.  Without Him we are nothing but men going to everlasting punishment.

And so once again, in response to
     what He has done for us,
             what He does for us,
                    and what He will do for us,
we give thanks
         —for grace upon grace......

#396...Provision of enough to not only pay bills but to give....

#397...Provision of work (Reliv), allowing me to help others with finances and health....Your gifts....

#398...Blooming Forsythia—bright yellow

#399...Clean house in anticipation of special company—the Wik's from Buena Vista

#400...Lacey and Riley for tea on deck....perfect weather....encouragement

#401...Notes from friends that encourage and show Your love and grace

#402...Free movie channel for a few days to see movies I've wanted to see (Midnight in Paris,
Secretariat, Soul Surfer)...perfect timing

#403...Encouragement from others with like struggles at Victory Celebration...

#404...Restful sleep

#405...Family willing to let Larry stay at their houses so I can work and play....Bless them, Father

#406...Palm Sunday to celebrate "The  Coming King."  Hoseana!!"

#407...The anticipation of EASTER and the resurrection.  Lord, help me to never forget.

#408...The promise of rain....snow....moisture—for hope


#409...A massage...hands gifted to find stress and give relief